Linda Kay (Larimer) Lindeman, 81, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at OSF St. Elizabeth in Ottawa.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, with Rev. John, Walker, Pastor, officiating. Visitation will be before the service starting at 10:10 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Linda was born on July 25, 1942, in Lincoln, NE to Owen J. and Hazel Edna (Staley) Larimer. She was a graduate of City High in Iowa City, class of 1960, and later attended the University of Iowa. Linda married her only blind date: Jan Alan Lindeman on August 25, 1963, in Iowa City. They were blessed to spend 50 years together, before his passing on May 20, 2013. Linda was employed by the Oswego School District 308. She retired in 2003, after 20 years of service and three different principals, during that span.
One of the verses that has permeated her life is John 10:10 where Jesus says, “… I have come that you might have Life and have it Abundantly.” She always lived that abundance by serving in a variety of Christian churches over the years as a Sunday School teacher, small group leader, Elder, and Deacon. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and placed her trust in Him. Linda consistently chose to take the scenic route in life and believed in “Lifelong Learning;” always looking for something to learn, a new way to grow. She would often be reading, fiction, nonfiction, and the newspaper. Linda found her joy in people. She agreed with poet Carl Sandburg that the worst word in the English language was “exclusive.” Linda wanted to bring everyone into the circle. She was at her happiest down by the river at Allen Park with her children, her grandchildren, and friends. She also loved her prayer meetings, book groups, and juggling up to four at a time. She has been greatly blessed and is survived by four grandchildren, Kristin Taylor Lindeman, Cody Alan Jensen Lindeman, Anna Lindeman, and Martha Charlotte Lindeman, who recently surprised her for a slumber party. She is also survived by three children, Laura Lynn Lindeman of Champaign, IL, Scott Alan (Michele) Lindeman of Morrison, IL, and Kevin (Vicki) Lindeman of Ottawa; two sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; five nieces; a nephew; and all of their spouses and children. Also surviving is her close companion, Jerry Barnwell, with whom she shared many traveling adventures.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Jan.
Memorials in Linda’s honor may include supporting locally owned restaurants/bars and grills. She would want us to compliment the efforts of the kitchen staff and share generous heartfelt tips with the servers and bartenders. Other memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Ottawa, IL, or any local library.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433